Blue Key inducts new members

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

MANHATTAN -- The Kansas State University chapter of Blue Key, a nationwide honor society for college seniors, has initiated 15 new members for the 2013-2014 academic year.

Blue Key is a premier honor society that recognizes college seniors at institutions of higher education for excellence inscholarship, leadership, andservice. Members of Kansas State University's Blue Key chapter embody the society's motto of "Serving, I Live" by providing leadership mentoring and training programs on campus and throughout the state of Kansas.

The honor society sponsors and coordinates various activities and programs at the university, including the Catalyst Self Development Experience; Quest, the freshmen honorary; ULead Leadership Consulting for college and high school students; a high school leadership conference; and the annual Leadership Appreciation reception to recognize students and organizational advisers for their leadership on campus. Blue Key also annually awards more than $15,000 in scholarships to Kansas State University undergraduates each year.

New members of Blue Key for 2013-2014, who will all be seniors, include:

Chris Kellenbarger, management, Derby. Kellenbarger has served as vice president of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, vice president of student campaigns for the Kansas State University Student Foundation and as a small group leader for Lead 2012. He has also been involved in the K-State Proud campaign and the Student Governing Association, as well as serving as a campus tour guide and orientation leader for new student services. Kellenbarger will serve as director of banquets and recognition for Blue Key.

Kassie Curran, food science and industry, Farlington. Curran has served as president of the College of Agriculture Ambassadors, has been active in Collegiate Farm Bureau and Collegiate Cattlewomen, and has served as state vice president for the Kansas FFA Association. She is a College of Agriculture scholar, and is involved in the Frontier Food Safety/Food Security Research Program. She will serve as director of alumni and outreach for Blue Key.

Sara Schifferdecker, agricultural education, Girard. Schifferdecker has served as president and programs vice president for Alpha Xi Delta sorority, has been a member of Student Mobilization's leadership team, and has served as state reporter for the Kansas FFA Association. She will serve as director of personal and professional development for Blue Key.

Samantha Kellerman, nutritional sciences, Leawood. Kellerman has served on the Student Alumni Board and has been involved in Relay for Life, National Relief Network and Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She also was a member of Quest, the freshman honorary. Kellerman will serve as co-director of Quest for Blue Key.

Kaitlin Long, entrepreneurship, Leawood. Long has served with the Student Governing Association and the Student Alumni Board, and has been the student coordinator for the International Service Teams program. She has been active with the College of Business Administration Venture Accelerator and is a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She also was a member of Chimes, the junior honorary. Long will serve as co-director of the Catalyst Self-Development Program for Blue Key.

Annika Schneider, music education and Spanish education, Lindsborg. Schneider has served as secretary and alumni relations chair for the Student Alumni Board; president of Chimes, the junior honorary; and vice president of the American Choral Directors Association. She has also served as a Choral ambassador and was a member of Quest, the freshman honorary. She has been active in the university's Concert Choir, Symphonic Orchestra and Opera Guild, as well as the National Association for Music Education. Schneider will serve as co-director of the Catalyst Self-Development Program for Blue Key.

Jake Unruh, finance, Manhattan. Unruh has served as president of the Union Governing Board and has been involved in the Student Governing Association and the Student Alumni Board. He has been active in Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, and has worked with the Special Olympics and the university's new student services. He has also been a member of Quest, the freshman honorary, and Chimes, the junior honorary. Unruh will serve as director of scholarships and nationals for Blue Key.

Kaitlyn Dewell, journalism and digital media, Meade. Dewell has served as the assistant social chair for Gamma Phi Beta sorority, public relations director for K-State Singers and ambassador for the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications. She has been a staff writer for the Collegian and has volunteered with Wildcat Buddies and Friends of Four Paws Animal Rescue of Kansas. Dewell will serve as co-director of leadership conference programming for Blue Key.

Tyler Johnson, human resources and marketing, Parsons. Johnson has served as vice president of membership for the Student Alumni Board and as a Kansas State University student ambassador. He is a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity, where he served as recruitment chair and vice president of alumni relations. Johnson also is a member of the undergraduate advisory board for Delta Upsilon International. He will serve as director of membership for Blue Key.

Alexis Wingerson, horticulture, Smith Center. Wingerson has served as secretary and as student and faculty awards chair for the College of Agriculture Council, and has been the Kansas FFA Association state vice president. She has been a member of the College of Agriculture Ambassadors, Pi Alpha Xi honorary and Alpha Zeta agriculture honorary. Wingerson will serve as director of ULEAD consulting programs for Blue Key.

Zach Boal, biology, Stilwell. Boal has served as the vice president of development for the Student Alumni Board and the new member educator for Delta Upsilon fraternity. He has been a Cat Crew campus tour guide and has served as a team captain for Relay for Life. He was a member of Quest, the freshman honorary. He also is a member of Mortar Board, a senior honorary. Boal will serve as vice president of Blue Key.

Ben Harstine, public health nutrition, Towanda. Harstine has served on the executive board of Farmhouse fraternity and participated in Christian Challenge. He will serve as director of retreats and team training for Blue Key.

Brett Seidl, mass communications, Valley Center. Seidl has served as president of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, vice president of students for the Kansas State University Student Foundation, and has served on the Student Alumni Board. He has been a member of Chimes, the junior honorary, and Quest, the freshman honorary. Seidl will serve as co-director of Quest for Blue Key.

Reagan Kays, agribusiness, Weir. Kays has been active in Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, the Kansas State University Student Foundation, College of Agriculture Ambassadors and the university's Student Governing Association. He has also been involved in the Agricultural Economics/Agribusiness Club, as well as Collegiate Farm Bureau. Kays will serve as president of Blue Key.

Erin Clopine, human resource management and marketing, Wichita. Clopine has served as president of Gamma Phi Beta sorority and vice president of the Union Governing Board. She has been active with the Student Governing Association, serving as a College of Business Administration student senator. She also has been a member of the Student Alumni Board and Kansas State University Student Foundation. Clopine will be co-director of leadership conference programming for Blue Key.